Sisters in Faith
The Blessing In Serving Others
Ruth is the picture of loyalty and love. She honored her mother-in-law, Naomi; so much that, in the grief of mourning her husband’s death, she moved with Naomi to Israel. Moabites were hated in Israel. Yet, Ruth pledged her life to Naomi, even though it was unlikely that she would find happiness in Israel. For what Jewish man would marry a Moabitess in his own land? But Ruth was not just following after Naomi, she was also following after Naomi’s God. God blessed Ruth for her selfless acts and her new found faith, which grew to great faith. But Ruth was humble. She did nothing but serve Naomi and work hard in the fields; and she was thankful when Boaz showed kindness to her. This Moabitess did marry Boaz, an Israelite man of her husband’s lineage; and she became the great-grandmother of David. God rewards the steadfast, hard-working, and faithful women of faith who serve Him and those around them. If we want the best of God’s blessings, we have to take our focus off of ourselves and put it onto someone else. (1, p.91, 92)
Excerpt from She Speaks: Wisdom from the Women of the Bible to the Modern Black Woman
© 2013 by Michele Clark Jenkins